News
Castle event is set to rock
ROCK choir members from Maid- stone are taking to a spectacular stage at historic Hever Castle to help raise funds for two local hos- pices. The Maidstone members will be among 500 singers from across Kent to take part in ‘The Choir that Rocks – Live’ at the Festival The- atre, Hever Castle, on Thursday, July 14, and Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24. Funds raised from the three
shows will support three charities close to the hearts of the choir members – Heart of Kent Hospice, Hospice in theWeald and MIND. The evenings will feature uplift-
ing, contemporary hits such as Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’, Jess Glynne’s ‘Hold My Hand’, Era- sure’s ‘A Little Respect’ and many more. Rock Choir leader Nik Haley
said: “We are extremely excited to be performing at such a fantastic venue and in support of such won- derful charities. The work they do is so important to the community. “The shows certainly promise to
be a memorable and momentous event for all involved.” Since it started, Rock Choir has helped raise millions of pounds for charity through its performances and social events.
Drunk banned AN East Peckham man found drunk and disorderly in Maidstone town centrewas given a suspended prison sentence when he appeared before magistrates. Thomas Patrick Fuery, 23, pleaded guilty to racially aggra- vated harassment, alarm or distress, assaulting a police officer, two counts of criminal damage and two counts of being drunk and disor- derly in February and May this year.
Magistrates sentenced Fuery to 84
days in prison, suspended for two years, and gave him a two month curfew to remain at home between 7pm and 7am daily. He must also pay £310 compensation.
downsmail.co.uk
‘Coldi-style’ homes proposal thrown out
ANapplication to build a residen- tial development likened to the prisoner ofwar camp Colditz Cas- tle has been turned down by coun- cillors. The scheme was to be sited at
land south-west of The Gables in Marden Road, Staplehurst. The applicantswere seeking out-
line permission for houses but did not specify the appearance, land- scaping, layout or scale. The site is currently used for agri- cultural storage but has open coun- tryside to thewest. Planning committee chairman
Cllr John Perry was critical of the report by Maidstone council offi- cers, claiming it was “seriously flawed”. He said that with the nearby
crane depot, there was the danger of “creating a kind of Colditz”. Cllr Perry added: “You have to
have the lights and the watch-tow- ers but then you’d have a prison.
Mike takes over office
MAIDSTONE Lions Club has ap- pointed Malcolm Luxton as its new president. A former school teacher, Mr Lux-
ton was a Maidstone councillor for eight years to 2006 and has been a president before. The presidency was handed over
by the outgoing David Priestley. Mr Luxton hopes he can surpass
the £20,000 raised in the past year for charity in his term of office. Anyone who finds themselves
with a little spare time and is willing to 'give something back' should contact Malcolm on 01795 841439, visit his Facebook page or go online at
www.maidstonelions.
org.uk for more information.
June that he knew the areawell and was merely voicing his own opin- ions. A spokesman for the architects,
DC Hudson & Partner, said the land was already developed and planning consent had also been granted for 250 houses opposite the proposed site. Local objections included its un- suitability for the location, a lack of pavements, sewerage issues and antisocial vehicle movements. Residents said theywere worried
Cllr John Perry “I happen to know that the [crane
depot] workers wear head protec- tors – are we suggesting the resi- dents do the same?” One member of the planning committeewarned Cllr Perry itwas wise not to use such language while in the chair of a meeting. Cllr Perry told the meeting in
about the inappropriate scale of the development, unsightly views of the crane depot and that it would “overshadow” a vegetable patch. Kent County Council’s highways officers concluded the access pre- exists with a “good crash record” and there would be adequate park- ing and turning in the site. Councillors unanimously re-
jected the proposal which had been submitted by Mr P R Garrod.
David Priestly (left) hands over the chain of office to the new Maidstone- Lions Club president, Malcolm Luxton
‘Friends’ help raise funds to restore their Parish church
Repairs to St Mary’s Chruch, Hunton, have re- cently been completed
20 Maidstone South July 2016
ESTORATION of St Mary’s Church, Hunton, is now complete – thanks largely to the fundraising efforts of local people and “Friends” of the church.” Since being formed in 2009, the Friends have raised almost £40,000 from events and donations, aswell as from an annual membership scheme. The Cobtree Trust also gave the Friends a donation of £3,000 to- wards the church restoration. Grants from other outside bodies allowed the interior redecoration to
be completed and the Friends are nowlooking to help finance repairs to the exterior walls and pointing on the church tower. St Mary’s Church dates back to
the 11th century and is a Grade I listed building. The churchyard contains a num-
ber of Grade II listed tombs and headstones. The Friends are organising sev-
eral more fundraising events later in the year, including an August concert and November supper dance.
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